Expect: to attend lessons at Dartmoor Zoological Park two days per week and undertake work experience for a day per week at the zoo, working with the keepers and the education team.

You'll love: visiting other zoos and animal organisations in the UK and maybe even in Europe, making new friends and feeling part of a team.

You'll go onto: employment within the animal industry or progression to university study such as our Foundation Degrees in Animal Health and Management, Veterinary Nursing, or Zoological Conservation.

Course content

This course is based at Dartmoor Zoo and consists of two days of lessons throughout the year (Monday and Tuesday in the first year) and a further day of work experience. You will learn about a wide variety of animal species with a focus on exotic species. Units covered may include:

You will be assessed throughout the course via a series of assignments, in-class tests, presentations and practical skills assessments. There are no examinations but the assignment load is challenging so you will need to be highly motivated to achieve.

Work experience is an essential and very important part of your programme of study, enabling you to develop good skills for future employment. Subject to interview, this is available at Dartmoor Zoo and you would have the opportunity to work alongside the Keepers and the Education Team during your two years of study.

Entry requirements

You must have 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above in English, Science and Maths, an excellent attendance record at school and demonstrate a sound commitment to working with animals and developing skills for employment. You will also be required to provide a reference from your school tutor or from your work place. You may also progress onto this course with a Level 2 Diploma in Animal Management (at Merit and Distinction level) and GCSEs (or Functional Skills Level 2) in English and Maths . For students aged 19+, your prior experience with animals and academic qualifications will be taken into consideration at interview.

Future opportunities

The Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A Levels and if you have gained suitable grades you may wish to progress to Higher Education. There are a number of Foundation Degrees offered at Duchy College and Cornwall College which you could consider, including Animal Health and Management, Veterinary Nursing and Zoological Conservation.

Alternatively, you may be considering going into employment within the animal industry, where there are opportunities in a wide range of careers.

How to apply

If you want to apply for this course, you will need to contact Cornwall College directly.

Duchy College has become one of the leading land-based colleges in the country.

Our largest campus is found within the striking Cornish countryside at Stoke Climsland. The campus is more than suitable for land-based activities and during your time here you are more than welcome to make use of the grounds and use all of our facilities.